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Security Fundamentals & Crypto · Foundational

Need to Know

Principle that access to specific information is granted only when it is required for a person's duties.

Definition

Need to know restricts access to particular data even among people with the appropriate clearance. It is common in military and government classification systems, where clearance alone does not grant access. It complements least privilege by narrowing access to information rather than system rights.

Example

An analyst with a Secret clearance cannot read a Secret file about another program without a need to know.

Exam tip

Clearance plus need to know are both required in mandatory access control environments.

Don't confuse it with

Related terms